The CenturyLink Center in Omaha is undergoing a naming rights change to CHI Health Center Omaha that becomes effective on September 1. The deal is a 20-year agreement worth $23.6 million and was unanimously approved by the Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority.

CHI Health is part of Catholic Health Initiatives, a national nonprofit health system based in the Denver area. CHI Health has its home headquarters in Omaha and operates the Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan mercy and other hospitals in the area.

The current agreement was initiated as a 15-year, $14.05 million contract that expires in August.

As with most naming rights deals, CHI Health will enjoy additional perks including the use of a corporate suite and four club level seats to all events at the venue, as well as the convention center for company events twice a year.

The name change marks the third for the downtown arena and convention center. The facility opened in 2003 as Qwest Center until 2011 when CenturyLink acquired Qwest.

About the Author

R.V. Baugus is senior editor of IAVM's magazine, Facility Manager. Baugus is an 11-time Quill Award winner from the Dallas chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. He is devoted in his community by serving as a board member of the Irving Schools Foundation and as a deacon at his church.